Model - Ruger Alaskan
Decided on purchase - 9 months out from my safari, I had just shot my scout scope mount loose on my 35WAI Mauser. I decided to try Guns.com and see what they had. Having been reading Boddington daily to prep/learn for the safari, I was aware of his praise for the .375 Ruger, so that was what I searched for. Lo & behold, they had one with a VX3, 2.5-8x32, so I snagged it.
Pros - Overmold stock soaks up recoil, 20" barrel is great for moving in brush, stainless is durable, everything I hit with it dies, just the right balance of weight for recoil absorption and carrying ease
Cons - The bolt knob was too small for me (right handed, but hopelessly left-handed for shooting - all my muscle memory is using right-handed rifles as a southpaw - therefore, I milled off the tiny knob, threaded the remaining shaft, and installed a larger knob - now I can grab it securely under pressure with my right hand and cycle the bolt with no concern that I will spaz under pressure and miss the knob or short-stroke the action
Price - $650
New or used - It was listed as used, but the scope shot loose in the first 20 rounds, and the bolt was pristine/un-darkened from being cycled. I believe either: the prior owner died before he could shoot it and the wife liquidated it, or the prior owner shot it once and never touched it again.
Scope choice - I went on safari with a VX-5, 1-5x20 with CDS and firedot reticle. Have since been able to upgrade by buying a VX6, 1-6x24 with CDS & firedot from Tarbe308 here on AH. However, I love the rifle so much, I bought a 2nd one. It has the black finish, and I have not altered the bolt knob yet. It sports a VX5, 3-15x44 CDS and firedot. This one is to stretch the legs of the cartridge.
Load - Something like 79.3 gr of W760, 270 grain projos (Hornday for MO hunting, Barnes TSX for Africa) - I am upstairs finishing my first cup of coffee and did not run to the basement to confirm the powder charge, so be cautious.
I am up to about 700 cases, so can use these rifles "for a while". However, Hornady has burned their "New, greatest, hottest cartridge since sliced bread" bridge with me. I will never buy into another new "wonder cartridge". The "we can't catch up with demand because of the scamdemic" is total BS. They only make their loaded ammo now and have just basically said F U to the reloaders. I will keep buying an occasional box or two of ammo to keep growing my casing herd. I LOVE the cartridge and rifle - VERY soured by Hornady's "production difficulties".
My safari write-up is here on AH if you wish to see the data points regarding how the rifle/cartridge fared against the critters.
